Electrical workers' union shows solidarity with striking teachers
“We're all workers,” said Sweet, who is a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2038. “We need to support each other because it's the only way we have any real power as workers, is when we stick together and not think about the differences.”
Sweet said the IBEW obtained the truck in order to get workers out on the picket line, and try to get out as often as they can to support workers in different types of unions.
Last week, school divisions across the province withdrew the supervision of extracurricular activities, which has disappointed students, teachers say.
Learning resource teacher Trish Linner supervises a lunch hour beading club at Glen Elm Community School where students from grades 4 to 8 learn to bead and connect with Indigenous traditions and culture.
“They love to have that time and do something different from within the classroom,” said Linner. “It's unfortunate we have to put this on students, but we're also not being paid attention to.”
“This government, they're not willing to work with us, so we have to start taking harder and harder steps.”
While many teachers were not able to travel to Regina due to inclement weather following a winter storm over the weekend, they still took part in alternative advocacy actions, including calling and emailing the government, according to an STF news release.
“We are very grateful for the numbers of teachers and supporters who were able to make it to the legislative building this morning as MLAS returned for the spring session,” said STF president Samantha Becotte in the release.
Approximately 3,500 teachers from Regina Public Schools, Regina Catholic Schools, Prairie South School Division, Holy Family Catholic School Division, South East Cornerstone School Division as well as teachers from Conseil des écoles fransaskoises and the Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre were present at the legislature.
“It is a clear sign to government that we are united, we are supported and we are not backing down,” said Becotte.
Monday marks the final day of a five-day countdown to further escalation. The STF says if the province does not provide its bargaining committee with a new mandate to bargain on issues of class size and complexity, teachers will be withdrawing all extracurricular supports on March 5 and 6.